THE Cowboys say they won't "break the bank" to retain Johnathan Thurston as interest from 10 rival clubs tests North Queensland's ability to afford the Test playmaker.

Two-thirds of NRL clubs have made inquiries with Thurston's management, underlining the complex task the Cowboys face to hold on to their most important commodity beyond this season.

North Queensland are investigating several options to secure Thurston, but the club is waging a major retention battle with key top-liners Matt Scott, Brent Tate, Matt Bowen, Dallas Johnson and Glenn Hall also free agents for 2014.

Scott has already fielded big-money offers from Souths and Parramatta, while the Cowboys were forced to deliver a $1 million-plus upgrade to Test enforcer James Tamou in December to stave off interest from Eels coach Ricky Stuart.

The Cowboys stepped up negotiations on Saturday, with recruitment chief Peter Parr holding talks with Thurston's manager Sam Ayoub ahead of a face-to-face meeting that will include chief executive Peter Jourdain.

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But Parr, mindful of Penrith supremo Phil Gould tabling a potential $1.2 million-a-season offer for Thurston, says if the issue is purely about money, the Cowboys will struggle to win a likely bidding war for the Maroons maestro.

"We'll have to come up with something special to keep him," Parr said last night. "I'd be surprised if he left, but 'JT' will command a lot of money.

"The reality is we have a number of guys coming off-contract and, with the salary cap, we can't break the bank to sign one player, even someone as special as Johnathan.

"I'd like to think we can still keep all the guys (off-contract at season's end), but it will depend on the individuals and what they are prepared to accept to stay."

While a surfeit of NRL clubs have expressed interest in Thurston, it is understood only two or three can table packages, including post-football opportunities, that are palatable to the two-time Dally M Medallist.

The Titans revealed on Sunday they cannot afford Thurston, but Ayoub says he will not be seeking formal offers until the ARL Commission announces an official salary-cap figure for 2013 and beyond.

"To make remarks that his asking price is too much is ridiculous because we won't discuss terms until the salary-cap situation is sorted out," Ayoub said.

"I don't know how any club, including the Titans, could say his price tag is too high because we haven't set any figure.

"This next deal has to look after Johnathan not just for the next four years, but the next 30 or 40 years of his life."

Ayoub hit-out at suggestions Thurston would merely opt for the highest bidder as he weighs up what could be his final NRL deal.

"This isn't just about money," he said.

"There needs to be other opportunities for JT, it's about longevity and the post-football options.

"We need to look at the long-term for Johnathan, if it means he is best served by staying at the Cowboys and the other factors tie in with it, so be it.

"But I am duty bound to investigate the options and let Johnathan make the decision that is best for him."

Johnathan Thurston trains with the Cowboys at James Cook University. Picture: Evan Morgan

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